Bangladesh–Japan Defense Agreement: Strategic Promise and Diplomatic Balancing

Japan’s recent signal of interest in signing a specialized defense agreement with Bangladesh within this year is far more than a diplomatic formality. It could reshape Dhaka’s security landscape and add a new dimension to South and Southeast Asian geopolitics. For over five decades, Bangladesh–Japan ties have revolved around development cooperation and infrastructure. Tokyo has been Dhaka’s most trusted partner in transformative projects such as the Padma Bridge rail link, the Dhaka Metro Rail, and special economic zones.

But in April 2023, during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Tokyo, the relationship was elevated from a “Comprehensive Partnership” to a “Strategic Partnership.” The upgrade signaled a readiness to broaden cooperation into areas once considered off-limits: defense, security, and regional stability.

Japan’s Security Pivot
For much of the postwar period, Japan’s pacifist constitution limited its security ambitions. That is changing. China’s expanding footprint in the East and South China Seas and its growing influence across the Indo-Pacific are reshaping Tokyo’s strategic outlook. As a close U.S. ally, Japan is deepening defense ties with regional states to hedge against instability.

Central to this shift is the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program, designed to strengthen the defense capacities of partner nations. Bangladesh was chosen as one of its first recipients, with discussions already underway on coastal radars, patrol boats, and surveillance equipment. A formal defense agreement would institutionalize this cooperation, likely extending to technology transfer, joint training, intelligence sharing, and long-term defense procurement.

Why Bangladesh Matters
For Dhaka, the potential benefits are considerable. The Bay of Bengal is a strategic maritime hub, carrying a significant portion of global trade and holding untapped reserves of natural resources. Yet Bangladesh faces persistent threats: piracy, smuggling, trafficking, and unauthorized intrusions. With Japanese assistance in surveillance systems, naval modernization, and training, Bangladesh could significantly strengthen its maritime domain awareness and security.

Beyond the seas, the partnership could enhance Bangladesh’s cyber defense, intelligence capabilities, and disaster response infrastructure. Improved technical capacity in these areas would not only benefit defense forces but also contribute to national resilience more broadly.

The Risks at Play
Still, opportunities come with real challenges. Bangladesh’s foreign policy has been built on neutrality and nonalignment. A defense agreement that appears to align Dhaka too closely with one side of great-power competition risks upsetting that balance.

The concern is particularly acute with China, one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners and a major defense supplier. Beijing has invested heavily in infrastructure, from power plants to ports. India, too, remains a vital security partner, with whom Bangladesh shares a sensitive border and extensive counterterrorism cooperation. In this triangular equation, Dhaka must tread carefully to avoid alienating any side.

Financial sustainability is another concern. Defense cooperation entails recurring expenses—procurement, training, and system upgrades. For a developing economy balancing priorities in education, healthcare, job creation, and climate adaptation, unchecked defense spending could create fiscal strain.

There is also the issue of technological dependency. Overreliance on Japanese platforms without meaningful transfer of know-how risks locking Bangladesh into long-term dependence for spare parts, upgrades, and expertise. To avoid this, Dhaka must negotiate for robust technology transfer and local capacity-building provisions that can stimulate domestic industry and create jobs.

Finally, political legitimacy matters. Defense agreements are financed by taxpayers, and in a democracy, they require transparency and accountability. If not clearly explained, such deals could fuel domestic suspicion and partisan debate.

Charting a Way Forward
For Bangladesh, the proposed agreement must serve as a tool for strengthening—not compromising—its long-term strategic position. Several principles should guide the process.

First, national interest must remain the core compass. The agreement should enhance security without binding Dhaka to any particular bloc.
Second, technology transfer and local industrial participation are non-negotiable. Building domestic maintenance and production capacity is essential for reducing dependency and securing long-term autonomy.

Third, financial prudence must guide commitments. Defense cooperation should not come at the cost of social spending priorities. Transparent budgeting and phased investments can help mitigate risks.

Fourth, diplomatic balance is paramount. Bangladesh should deepen cooperation with Japan while maintaining strong relations with China, India, and other powers. The aim should be to project Dhaka as a capable but neutral actor in the Indo-Pacific.

A Strategic Opportunity

A defense agreement with Japan could indeed mark a new horizon for Bangladesh. Properly structured, it would strengthen maritime security, modernize the armed forces, and enhance cyber and intelligence capabilities. Just as importantly, it would elevate Bangladesh’s profile as a responsible, strategically minded state in a contested region.

But the agreement must not be pursued as an act of military posturing. Its true value lies in serving as a platform for comprehensive security and resilience—helping Bangladesh safeguard its waters, protect its economy, and contribute to regional stability.

If negotiated with balance, transparency, and foresight, a Bangladesh–Japan defense agreement could become more than just another bilateral pact. It could stand as a model of pragmatic diplomacy: how a smaller state can engage a major power without compromising sovereignty, while leveraging cooperation for peace, development, and stability in the Indo-Pacific.


Shahidul Alam Swapan is a
private banking and financial
crime specialist and author
based in Switzerland.